Coaster wagon



Jan. 19 1926; 1,570,528

L. R: SCHAFFNER I COASTER WAGON Filed August 21, 1922 Z- 1g'4.' I I J attorney Patented Jan. I

N D TATES LEON R. scHArrNEn, ,or'roa'r bones, Iowa.

'coAsrEn WAGON. I

Application filed August 21, 1922. SerialNo. 583,1 5.}

To all whom it may concern: 7 7

Be it known that I, LEON R. SorrArrNnR, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Fort Dodge, in thecounty'of Webster and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coaster WVagons, of which the-following is a specification. I

This invention relates to coaster-wagons. The main object of this invention is to provide an improved wheeled vtoy or coaster-wagon which has its wheels so, arranged that they impart an infinite number of uncertain movements to the body or platform carried by the wheels, so that the child or person who is coasting must be kept on the alert for any unexpected move 'ment, so as to prevent being dislodged from' the platform, thereby cultivating alertness, skill and ability in the user.

Further objects and advantages/will be pointed out or impliedin theifollowing details of description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 1

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved coaster-wagon, princigpally in full elevation, but partly in vertical section, the sec-' tion being taken through the axis of, the king-bolt. I

j Figure 2 is a view in side elevation ,.illustrating. an effect produced by the eccentric bearings or axes ofthree of the wheels 'being in, a different position from that of the other wheel.

Figure '3 is a rear viewof the coasterhaving its wheels arranged as illustrated in Figure 2. V .s

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmental View showing how I may construct the front axle-beam so as to permit of a'rocking motion thereof with relation to the bolster and body of the coaster.

Referring to these drawings in detail,'in"

which similar reference characters correspond with similar parts throughout the several views, the invention consists prin-' cipally in the manner in which the wheels are mounted, in connection with the construction and arrangement ofparts, as will V J now be fully described.

The platform or bodvo5,rear aXle-beam' 6, front bolster? tongue 8 and tongue connection 9 are of. ordinary construction and will not be described in detail. The front axle-beam 10 may be of ordinary construc-' tion, or may be of the novel construction illustrated in Figure 4, indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3. *Front and rear axles "11:. and 12 are secured' to the front and rear beams. 10' and 6, respectively, -by any appropriate means, one meansvjbeing indicated at 13 and may consist of an eye, bolt or U-bolt which' iextends into or 'through the axle-beam. These axles may be either rotary or stationary with respect to the axle-beam, and on each end of :each

aXlej is journaled a wheel 14, each ofthese wheels having its bearings eccentric to ,the

wheel-center,as clearly shown in the draw- 1 ings. 'In-contrar'y, distinction to previously known toys or vehicles having their wheels eccentrically mounted, the present device has each of its four wheels mounted to ro-V tate independently of the others, and there fore, there is no certainty of movement of either wheel with; respect tothe others, and

theguser cannot foretell what peculiaror unexpected movements will proceed one another, so that the occupant of the coaster is trained to, be prepared for emergencies.

here an ordinary front axle-beam isemployed, there is littlevor no rocking movement-thereof with respect to the bolster 7,

and therefore, there will be timeswhen the coaster'runs on three wheels only, the other -wheel being temporarily suspended in the air; then, asthe coaster proceeds, the 'sus- -pended, wheel will suddenly come in contact with the road or street, and another of 7' the wheels may be raised into the air;- This form may be, preferable for exceptionally ure 4 may bev preferable, as this form enables all the wheels totravel on the ground active and hardy boys, but girls and o younger boys,'the form illustrated in Figbeam 10 is cut away to provide clearance [for the head 17. The lower central portion of the bolster 7 and beam 10 are evenly curved to provide rockers which are seated against ,one another, and therefore, the

front axle canrock with relation to the bolster 7, and the lattercan rock on the axle-beam 10. If desired, the Width of the slot 16 can be limited, so that there may be a slight raising of the wheels from the road in the manner previously described. Although the operation of such devices is generally known, it may be well to consider the operation of this improved coaster in connection with the drawings. For instance, Figure 1 shows the device with its Wheels in the position they naturally assume when the coaster is first placed upon the ground or road, that is, the circle-centers being directly under the axial centers. So long as the coaster is steered straight on a level surface the platform 5 stays level but has an up-and-down movement; but when the front axle returns about it pivotal center or king-bolt 15, the front wheels change their relative positions so that one end ofthe axle 13 is low and the other high. The turning of the front wheels also causes the rear part of the coaster to turn, and this changes the relative positions of the rear wheels and causes their axle to incline. Moreover, when the coaster is used in the ordinary way, that is, without permitting the Wheels to assume their center of gravity, they are likely to assume the position illustrated in Figure 3 or any unexpected or nonpredetermined position, and unlimited number of unexpected movements will be imparted to the platform 5 even though the coaster be guided in a substantially straight course.

It is not intended to limit this invention to the construction and arrangement of parts as here illustrated, but changes may be made within the inventive ideas as implied and claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

The combination with the platform of a coaster of a front bolster therefore, said bolster being rigidly secured to the under side of said platform and having its 'free edge provided with a curved rocker edge, an axle beam arranged in juxtaposition to the said front bolster, the same being provided with a curved rocker edge adapted to abut the curved edge of the bolster, a king pin rigidly carried by the front bolster and loosely extending thru a d0wnwardly diverging slot formed in the axle beam whereby pivotal and rocking motion is permitted between the said front bolster and axle beam, an axle carried by said axle beam and wheels eccentrically mounted on the said axle.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LEON R. 'SCHAFFNER. 

